Illiteracy After Education - Part I brilliant!
you painted a very true picture ayesha!
just like i had heard from someone talkin here in Karachi:

``so, which side of the railway line do you live in?``

amazing how people can actually do this!!!

To Die For.....the War at Wana This article produced an interesting mix of responses and interactions which were indicative of the fact that there is no middle view on Wana.

Many questions have arisen during this operation. But like all other issues that have arisen in Pakistan time and again, there are no answers. The truth is that all governments (elected or enforced) have no policies or long term plans. Our politicians have become so used to acting on their whims that future planning is considered an alien phenomenon.

The army is no different and Musharraf has proved this time and again. Whatever action that he has taken has been on the basis of the events that have taken place in our neighboring countries. Much of what we do and say is dependent on what is happening in Afghanistan, India and Kashmir. Not to mention the dictations we receive from the fools sitting in the White House.

Musharraf acted on removing the terrorists only when orders were issued forth from Uncle Sam. He could have done all of this two years back, immediately after the Twin Towers came crashing down. But he was too busy in trying to stabilize his rule in the country. He did think proactively, but only regarding the issue of saving his own skin.

Thus, the tribal areas, and the terrorists harbored in these areas, were ignored. But then, the tribal areas have always been ignored. What has the government done for the tribal areas so far? The government has a good excuse of ignoring the tribal areas on the pretext of tribal laws and traditions. These tribal laws are being used as smoke screens by the politicians from these areas who are scared of development and improvement in the lifestyle of their people. The tribal areas are inhabited by Pakistanis who deserve all the attention of the government as much as you and me. But the government turns a blind eye always because it is the tradition of the politicians in our country to think of their own interests first and foremost.

The action taking place in Wana is correct. But the approach, the timing and the execution of this operation leaves much to be answered. But like all other ventures that have been undertaken by Musharraf so far, Kargil being the biggest blunder, this one will also lead to much loss than gain.

This was an article written not to glorify the armed forces but to bring to light the poor soldier who lays down his life for the country. Many innocent civilians also come under attack and this has always been the case in history (not that this makes it right). But what disgusts me most was the fact that these soldiers laid down their lives for a lost cause. And there is nothing more pitiful than sacrificing oneself for no cause at all.

farheen

Untitled Winning an Oscar now doesn`t require one to have acting skills. just use a lot of makeup and a few daring makeovers- and voila! win your oscar.
i wonder if they have such a requirement/criterion for Lux awards?
maybe they don`t need to!
three cheers for khahani ghar ghar kee!

False Alarm #7 by skept
this is in reference to your query about uzair paracha.
the karachi guy, uzair, was my senior at iba. a great fellow, he was the last person that anyone would associate with terrorists.
so far, none of his friends have any news of him.
we all pray for his safety and well-being.

Fancy a Wedding?
faiza: i agree with you. marriage is a very sacred bond and there is much more to it than sex. much more. but one has to admit, sex is essential to a blissful marital life. HP is just highlighting this vital part of any marriage. he`s not talking of sex in isolation. and really, growup! there is nothing to be proud of (or be ashamed abt) in being a virgin. also, the fact that it`s easier to talk about and do the act itself in the west is the reason why most marriages there hit the rocks soon.think abt that.

(and yes,in maslow`s hierarchy, physiological needs come before any other and this includes needs like hunger, thirst and sex).

and HP: have had a few nites but no whacking yet! we`re saving it for our first wedding nite.

Fancy a Wedding? #12 by HP

i`m not married-yet.
but then....do u need to get married to have stories?!

Fancy a Wedding?
i don`t know why there is so much fuss over desi weddings. and especially by desis living abroad. even in foreign countries, both the locals there and the desis have a big wedding with much splendour and hungama. the expenses made at weddings in pakistan is huge and mostly unnecessary but that is done by the upper classes. and if the middle class tries to follow the upper class, they are bound to get into a financial fix. weddings should be an affair to remember and not a circus with performances every nite that fade away with time and leave one with nothing but a photo album and lots of in-laws.

and HP#1: how do u expect anyone to do it the first nite considering that rukhsatis take place at 1:30am and all loving relatives are unwilling to leave the bride and groom alone?!!

Let Cricket Inspire India and Pakistan
the cricket series was amazing, and not because of the two teams on the field. it was the spirit of the people that made this series one of the most memorable in the history of indo-pak cricket ties. who would have thought a few months ago that pakistanis and indians would be dancing and celebrating in the same stands? that indians would flood the bazars of lahore and be overwhelmed by the warmth that was extended to them by one and all.

the kashmir dispute, the kargil episode, the arms race; none of this became a hurdle in this extension of goodwill. and if we want better roads, less poverty,a higher standard of living, and less dominance of the army-well, we need more samsung cups.

aao.......dil jeet lain!!!

Strange Tales of a Strange House - Al-Kausar a haunted house is like a refuge.
just like a cemetry.
in the middle of the noise filled city there rises a structure where silence prevails.
absolut silence.
no one dares seek this refuge.
yet all talk about it, around it.
and the silence prevails.

the piece was captivating..............wud like to get my hands on the longer version.

Flannelled Clucks i hope the bird flu virus does not dampen the spirit of the headless chicken!

the indian team is in pakistan and there is much excitement in karachi where the first match is to be played in our beloved national stadium. passions are running high and people await the match with anxiety. but there is no thought at present on who will emerge victorious. the match is a day out, a picnic- with friends,family and ofcourse- lots and lots of that sweetly sickening pepsi.